The residents of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), a picturesque yet impoverished region in northern Pakistan, continue to endure severe hardships due to chronic neglect from the federal government and the exploitation of their resources, often for the self-interest of neighboring China. This pattern of negligence and exploitation has pushed the people of GB to the brink, as their basic needs remain unmet and their environment deteriorates under the pressure of external agendas.
A recent wave of protests in Hunza, a significant city in the GB region, highlights the frustrations of its population. These demonstrations, sparked by prolonged power outages, have underscored the inadequate infrastructure that leaves residents enduring up to 23-hour-long blackouts. With temperatures plunging as low as -10 degrees Celsius at night, residents are left to grapple with bitter winters with no reliable electricity for heating, cooking, or basic necessities.
Locals have expressed their despair over the lack of progress in addressing these issues, even as federal and local authorities attempt negotiations. The power crisis is particularly acute in winter, as the region heavily depends on hydropower, which diminishes when rivers and lakes freeze. Residents and businesses, including hotels, resort to costly and environmentally damaging thermal generators to meet their needs, exacerbating pollution in an area already vulnerable to climate change.
The prolonged outages have not only made life miserable for the local population but also severely disrupted trade and tourism. Protests have led to the blockade of the Karakoram Highway, a vital trade route connecting Pakistan and China. This highway, integral to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has been rendered impassable by demonstrators demanding basic rights. Dozens of freight trucks, carrying commercial goods crucial for both countries, remain stranded on either side of the highway, bringing trade to a standstill.
Locals involved in trade and tourism have voiced their frustration, citing the federal government’s failure to provide adequate infrastructure to sustain economic activity. Tourists visiting this breathtakingly scenic region also face the brunt of the power crisis, with limited access to heating and other facilities.
While the CPEC, a multibillion-dollar initiative, promises to transform infrastructure and trade connectivity between Pakistan and China, it has brought little benefit to the people of GB. Residents report that the region has become a transit hub for large-scale projects that yield profits for external stakeholders while offering little in return to the local population. Despite Beijing’s investments exceeding $25 billion, the people of GB see few improvements in their living conditions.
The Khunjerab Pass, the world’s highest paved border crossing and a critical CPEC artery, exemplifies this disparity. Although touted as a symbol of connectivity and progress, its year-round operations primarily serve the interests of federal authorities and Chinese stakeholders, leaving GB residents to bear the environmental and economic costs.
Gilgit-Baltistan’s rich natural resources, including its abundant hydro potential and mineral wealth, remain a source of exploitation rather than empowerment. The region’s glaciers, rivers, and mineral deposits hold immense potential for economic growth, yet the federal government has failed to channel the benefits toward improving the lives of its residents.
Hydropower projects such as the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Satpara Dam, and Bunji Dam have been touted as game-changers, yet most remain incomplete or underperforming. Meanwhile, revenue generated from the extraction of GB’s valuable minerals largely bypasses the local economy. This lack of reinvestment perpetuates poverty and deprives residents of essential services like healthcare, education, and energy infrastructure.
One of the root causes of GB’s suffering lies in its ambiguous legal and constitutional status. As an autonomous region, GB has not been granted full provincial status within Pakistan, leaving its residents with limited rights and representation. This lack of constitutional recognition severely restricts the ability of GB’s people to challenge policies or demand accountability from the federal government.
Without a defined relationship with Pakistan, GB’s population is left vulnerable to exploitation and disenfranchisement. Federal authorities continue to prioritize resource extraction and strategic interests over the welfare of the region’s residents, perpetuating a cycle of neglect and inequality.
GB’s pristine environment is also under threat from human activity and climate change. The region, home to some of the largest glaciers outside the poles, is highly susceptible to global warming. The increased use of thermal generators and large-scale construction projects under CPEC contribute to pollution, further endangering its fragile ecosystems.
Experts warn that unchecked exploitation of GB’s resources, combined with environmental degradation, could lead to long-term consequences for both the region and the country. The federal government’s failure to address these challenges underscores a troubling disregard for sustainability and future generations.
The plight of Gilgit-Baltistan is a stark reminder of the costs of governmental neglect and unchecked exploitation. The region’s rich natural and cultural heritage holds immense potential to uplift its people, but only if their voices are heard and their rights respected.
The protests in Hunza symbolize more than just a demand for electricity—they represent a cry for dignity, equity, and recognition. Without meaningful action, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will remain marginalized, their rich heritage overshadowed by the shadow of neglect and exploitation.
Nasir Khattak specializes in the China-Pakistan region, with a particular focus on the economic relations between the two countries. (Afghan Diaspora)